Hyacinth Dajoh, speaker of the Benue state house of assembly has resigned from office just 48hours after suspending four lawmakers for attempting to impeach him.
Dajoh announced his resignation in a hand-written letter addressed to the clerk of the assembly on Sunday.
“I write to resign my position as the speaker, Benue state house of assembly effective today, 24th August, 2025. This is done in good faith and in the best interest of the state,” the letter reads.
“I want to appreciate my dear colleagues for the opportunity they gave me to be the first among equals. I pledge to remain committed to my duties as a legislator and representative of Gboko west constituency.”
The suspended lawmakers were Alfred Berger, representing Makurdi north; Terna Shimawua of Kian; Cyril Ekong of Obi; and James Umoru representing Apa constituency.
The governor of Benue, Hyacinth Alia has denied involvement in controversy, saying he had no role in the alleged plot to remove Dajoh as speaker.
Meanwhile, Alfred Berger—one of the four lawmakers suspended by Dejoh in alleged impeachment plot on Friday—has been elected as the new speaker of the Benue state house of assembly.
Berger, who represents Makurdi north state constituency, was elected on Sunday during an emergency sitting presided over by Lami Danladi, the deputy speaker, following Hyacinth Dajoh’s resignation.
The Benue assembly has been involved in a crisis that has dragged on for months.
Recall, in February, the Benue House of Assembly suspended 13 lawmakers for three months for allegedly opposing the removal of Maurice Ikpambese, the state’s chief judge, whom they accused of gross misconduct and corruption.
The suspended lawmakers were said to have voted for Ikpambese’s removal but later dissociated themselves from the decision, citing procedural irregularities.
In July, some of the suspended lawmakers were reinstated.
